MSU President Mark Keenum announced the plan Thursday at MEC's annual Capital Day meeting in Jackson.

STAR award winners must score at least 25 on the ACT college test and have grades averaging 93 or above in selected subjects. Keenum says such students already qualify for at least $12,000 in aid over four years at MSU. Combined with the $6,000, that covers at least $18,000 of MSU's $25,000 in-state tuition over four years.

More than 300 Mississippi high schools name a STAR award winner each year, but MEC provides scholarships to only the 20 highest-ranked winners in the state. Of that group, 17 receive only $500 awards.